THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

NOVEMBER 19TH, 2006

PROVERBS 1:8-9

INSTRUCTING THE CHILDREN

 

 

Introduction:     The Book of Proverbs is a Biblical textbook that teaches Wisdom to God’s people.

 

 

I.     Teaching Wisdom and Knowledge begins in the home.   (8)

 

     A.     Fathers have a responsibility to instruct the children.

 

          1.     Instruction is the explanation of the directions.

 

          2.     Fathers cannot explain what t hey do not know.

 

               -     Every fathers has the responsibility to explain Biblical facts tot their children.

 

          3.     Instructing children means explaining to the children principles of life that God expects of them.

 

     B.     Mothers have a responsibility to have Bible-based rules in the home.

 

          1.     “The law of thy mother” is the set of Bible-based rules the mother sets while at home, rearing the children.

 

               -     In the Biblical homes, the mother was a homemaker and the father was the breadwinner.

 

          2.    This proverb seems to be more weighty towards the mother’s responsibility.

 

               -     She is the constant presence in the home.

 

          3.     Mothers should constantly remind their children about honesty, truthfulness, and the admonitions of God’s Word.

 

     C.     Children have a responsibility to hear the father’s explaining of  God’s Word and principles.

 

          1.     The word “hear” means to listen with the intent to obey.

 

          2.     The Word of God is not just good advice, it should be obeyed.

 

          3.     As the father explains God’s Word, the children should have a desire to know God’s Word.

 

         4.     It’s the responsibility of the father to make sure that the children understand the Word of God.

 

    

 

     D.     Children have a responsibility to not forsake the mother’s Bible-based rules.

 

          1.     The rules of the mother will go with the children when the children leave home and go into the world.

 

          2.     Children must be taught that’s what’s right inside the home is right outside the home.

 

          3.     Children are not to forsake the Bible examples they learned in the home.

 

II.     Godly children, who follow the examples and instructions of godly parents, will be blesses in two ways:

 

     A.     “They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head.....” (9)

 

          1.     An “ornament” is something that adds grace or beauty.

 

          2.     A godly young person, described in this verse, will have a good demeanor that others do not have.

 

          3.     It’s good when godly adults can point to a godly young person and say, “They were trained well.”

 

     B.     A father’s instruction and a mother’s law will be “chains about thy neck.”   (9)

 

          1.     “Chains” are restraints that pull a person back, or keep a person in place.

 

          2.     The words of  godly parents will guide a godly child in questionable situations.

 

          3.     Sound instruction is a strong defense when you are young.

 

III.     Verse 8-9 are very clear proverbs that godly wisdom should guide the home.

 

     A.     Notice that the rod of correction is not mentioned in these verses.

 

          1.     If there is no father’s instruction, or mother’s law, a rod of correction is useless.

          2.     You can’t whip into children in a day what you haven’t been living day by day.

          3.     The main cause of wayward children is a failure in either the father’s instruction, or the mother’s law.

 

     B.     Solomon’s advice to parents and children hinges on all-inclusive desire that everyone should have to be wise.

 

 

 

Conclusion:   Next Sunday, Solomon gives an example of a father’s instruction.